Dani's Corner

Dani Spies is a Certified Health and Nutrition Counselor, Fitness Trainer and Mom who is passionate about finding simple ways to make real, whole, nutrtious foods a part of an everyday kitchen. More about Dani »

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Pantry Puttanesca Sauce

Pantry Puttanesca Sauce
This recipe was 100% inspired by the one and only, Miss Katie O'Cuddles (that's her nickname around here).

Katie eats some form of pasta and tomato sauce nearly everyday and she just so happens to ADORE salty flavors (especially Kalamata olives) so I got to thinking...

KidBite: Whole Wheat Pasta w/ Eggplant, Mozzarella, & Tomato Sauce

KidBite: Whole Wheat Pasta w/ Eggplant, Mozzarella, & Tomato Sauce
When treated with a little TLC, eggplant is a very kid-friendly veggie.

It's soft, creamy, mildly nutty and super easy for a 'three-toothed one year' old to mash on the top of her mouth. 

Mixing it with some whole wheat pasta and tomato sauce was an easy way for me to introduce a new veggie to Katie since she absolutely adores her pasta (or as she says, DASTDA).

Clean and Simple Asparagus Pasta

Clean and Simple Asparagus Pasta
Although I often approach pasta with a very strategic (yet delicious) game plan, sometimes I just need to step away from all the rules and just enjoy a simple, seasonal dish.

I was not in the mood for meat or fish or beans or dairy.

I was simply looking for a QUICK and TASTY way to use up the last lovely bunch of asparagus that was hanging out in my veggie drawer.

Golden Beet & Beet Green Greens Pasta w/ Ricotta and Feta Cheese

Golden Beet & Beet Green Greens Pasta w/ Ricotta and Feta Cheese
Growing up, there was always a fifty-fifty shot that "macaroni" (as my parents like to call it) would be on the dinner menu.

We easily had pasta three times a week.

Spaghetti and Meatballs,  Linguini and Clam Sauce, Pasta Fagioli, Cheese Raviolis, Lasagna, and Fusilli and Meat Sauce were just some of our childhood staples.

And as a mother who wants to get a simple meal on the table rather quickly, I get it.  Pasta is a fast, easy, and delicious solution BUT how oh how can we ensure that that we are not sitting down to a nutritionally void meal??

Edamame, Mint & Cottage Cheese Pasta - Video

Edamame, Mint & Cottage Cheese Pasta - Video
My Dad is Italian.

My Mom is Irish and German.

But other than some pretty mean stuffed cabbage and a potato salad that is no joke, my Mom kept our kitchen 99% Italian. 

Pump Up Your Pasta - (Chicken and Broccoli Rotini)

Pump Up Your Pasta - (Chicken and Broccoli Rotini)
Let's talk pasta (again).

Ever notice how easy it is to OVER eat pasta.  It just goes down SO easy and let's face it a serving of pasta is NOT exactly A LOT of food.

Let me show you what I mean.

Wild Salmon and Roasted Veggie Penne

Wild Salmon and Roasted Veggie Penne
Salmon is one of my favorite types of fish AND it's a power food SO I try to get it into my diet at least once a week.  Since I always try to buy wild salmon and it can be very expensive, I often turn to canned salmon for a more economical way to work some salmon into my diet. 

If your not sure what to look for when it comes to buying salmon...

Whole Wheat Penne w/ Salmon and Greens - Video

Whole Wheat Penne w/ Salmon and Greens - Video
Give me a plate of chicken and broccoli and very rarerly will you see me going back for seconds BUT sit me down in front of a bowl of pasta and LOOK OUT!  Somehow, I ALWAYS have room for a second round of pasta... especially white pasta!

Whole Wheat Penne w/ No-Cook Tomato Sauce & White Beans

Whole Wheat Penne w/ No-Cook Tomato Sauce & White Beans
I know I left you guys high and dry this Labor Day weekend but the truth is I didn't do much cooking.  I'm headed to Jersey later this week to spend a week down the shore with my family so I was laying pretty low this weekend.  But I did get to make this Whole Wheat Penne w/ No-Cook Tomato Sauce and White Beans!

Soba Noodle Salad w/ Mizuna

Soba Noodle Salad w/ Mizuna

Spring time is naturally a very cleansing time of year.  After a long, cold winter of heartier, heavier foods, Spring rolls in with its fresh, light flavors that are designed by nature to help clean us out and lighten us up a bit!

Leafy greens are the number one ingredient missing in the American diet which is why I've decided to focus on Spring Leafy Greens this month!
 

Spring-Time Asparagus Pasta

Spring-Time Asparagus Pasta

I love when things just work themselves out effortlessly.  You know those times when everything just comes together without any thought or struggle.  Just a little non-linear, unorganized, spontaneous inspiration.  I seriously love that!

Winter Kale Pasta w/ Turkey Sausage - Video

Winter Kale Pasta w/ Turkey Sausage - Video

It's cold and rainy here in So.Cal, so I was in the need of some comfort food.  I wanted to use up some Kale and so here's what I came up with...  Let me know what ya think!